Union hopeful over GNER dispute

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Talks are continuing in an attempt to resolve a dispute between GNER and the rail firm's ticket sales staff.

Members of the Transport Salaried Staffs' Association (TSSA) began industrial action on Friday, citing concerns about job security.

GNER denied union claims that it plans to close ticket offices, and said there will be no compulsory redundancies.

On Sunday, TSSA Spokesman Brian Brock said he was hopeful the row would be over by the end of the day.

"We had all-night discussions and we have sorted almost everything out, apart from one clause, which we hope to resolve this afternoon," he said.

Ticket machines

Mr Brock added that the industrial action could be escalated if a resolution was not reached.

While the dispute continues, TSSA members are refusing to issue tickets bought online, and customers must collect them from automated machines.

A GNER spokesman said the firm would comment once the meeting had taken place.

Industrial action was approved on Thursday over union claims that GNER was closing its windows and counters service, and putting more fast ticket machines in.

The company said no job cuts were planned, and that any reduction in numbers would be achieved through natural turnover or voluntary redeployment.